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Saturday, October 17, 2015

Homeopathy for Winter seasons

Homeopathy for Winter season Problems

We look forward to winter for its cool weather and the
festivities it brings. But it also brings with it various
different types of Health Problems. Though the temperature
in this city does not drop drastically as compared to
the Northern cities yet we face winter problems. In this
article I have listed the most common ailments and simple
ways in which you can tackle them.

DRYNESS OF SKIN

In winter the humidity in the air decreases
and this causes a lot of dryness. Dryness of the skin,
eyes, chapped lips, cuts on the feet and palms etc…
occur during the winter months. If you are already suffering
from dry skin disorders then this season is worse for
you. Dry skin feels itchy and the person has an unbearable
desire to scratch. But repeated rubbing and scratching
the dry skin makes the area inflamed, rough and thick.
Cracks in the skin make the individual more susceptible
to infections especially if they are on the soles of the
feet and you have a habit of walking bare foot. Some people
present with redness of the skin with eruptions.

WHY DOES THE SKIN BECOME DRY DURING WINTER?

Our skin has many layers and the last layer,
which we see on the surface, is called the Stratum Corneum.
This layer contains dead cells along with the natural
oil produced by the living cells of the layer beneath.
This layer holds the moisture in the skin. When the natural
oil in this layer is lost the water holding capacity is
also lost and the skin becomes dry and loses its lustre.
This can happen in dry weather where there is very little
humidity in the atmosphere. This also occurs in people
who have certain skin disorders regardless of the weather
and occurs naturally in old age.

HOW TO TACKLE DRY SKIN

There are many ways by which you can prevent
your skin from drying up. Simple changes in your lifestyle
and diet can make a big difference. Here are a few tips:-
1. Avoid harsh medicated soaps and those which are highly
perfumed. These contain a lot of chemicals which dry the
skin up. Use a soap which is glycerine based and mild
on the skin. Use minimum soap on the face.
2. Detergents are also very harsh for the skin so avoid
putting your hands in soapy water. A good way to prevent
this is by wearing gloves if you have to wash the dishes.
Again try and use the mildest detergent available.
3. After a bath do not dry your body completely, just
lightly pat yourself partially dry. When the body is still
moist use non perfumed petroleum jelly. Apply it with
little water all over so that the water gets trapped on
the skin and prevents dryness.
4. Use an effective moisturizer 2 to 3 times a day if
necessary.
5. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Avoid soft
drinks and caffeinated beverages. Just have plain simple
water as it is the best thing for the skin.
6. Avoid alcohol and smoking as they both tend to cause
dryness of the skin.
After taking all these precautions your skin is still
dry and causing problems go and see a Homoeopath. There
are wonderful remedies for these kind of skin conditions
in this system of medicine. Though remedies are given
solely on the individuals symptoms, here are a few effective
ones for dryness of the skin during winter.

PETROLEUM
Dry, sensitive, rough and cracked skin during the winter
months calls for this remedy. Here there are cracks on
the skin which bleed easily. The person has an unbearable
desire to itch the skin till it bleeds.
Cracks on the tips of the finger, nipples, calls for this
remedy. The person does not feel like wearing anything
as the skin has become extremely sensitive. All these
symptoms are worse in WINTER and are greatly relieved
in summer. Petroleum will help in healing
the skin.

PSORINUM
This drug is excellent for patients who suffer from skin
problems in winter. Here the skin looks very dirty, rough
and dry. Itching is intolerable and the person scratches
till the part bleeds especially in bed at night. They
can't bear the warmth of the bed. All these skin problems
seem to disappear in summer and re-occur every winter.
Psorinum will give great relief.

Like this there are numerous other drugs
good for dry winter skin in Homoeopathy, which are prescribed
on the patients symptoms.

COLDS

There are a large number of viruses that cause colds and
cough in the winter months. There are also other factors
like the pollution which tends to settle like a haze in
these months which can lead to colds and cough. During
Diwali several crackers are burst which again acts on
the susceptible individuals respiratory system causing
problems. In places where it is very cold like the North,
people tend to stay more indoors. Therefore if one person
has a cold, it tends to spread rapidly due to constant
contact with the contaminated person. Hence Viruses can
be transmitted from person to person very easily. Also
because of the lack of humidity in the air the nasal passages
dry up and cracks occur in the skin. This makes it easy
for the cold virus to enter the body and multiply.

HOW TO TACKLE AND PREVENT COLDS?

There are no vaccines yet which help to
prevent catching a common cold but there are ways in which
we can try to avoid getting one. If your immunity is good
and healthy then your chances of coming down with a cold
are less and even if you do get one the attack will be
mild and no treatment is really required. But if you are
susceptible then you need to take Homoeopathy medicines
along with other care. Here are a few tips to avoid catching
cold:-
1. Keep your immunity in good condition by eating nutritious
food, getting your daily dose of exercise and sleeping
well.
2. Stay away from people who have a cold. If you are in
contact them make sure you wash your hands before eating
and keep the plates and glasses separate.
3. If you are also coming down with a cold then drink
plenty of fluids and water.
4. Take plenty of rest if you are suffering from a cold.
5. Keep your body well covered and protected from the
cold all the time. Exposure to cold can also cause colds.

There is no need for antibiotics for a common
cold. But Homoeopathic medicines help to boost your body's
immunity to fight against the infection and recovery takes
place faster.
The constitutional remedy of the individual should always
be given. Here are few effective cold remedies.

SABADILLA
If you are suffering from repeated violent sneezing, running
nose, irritation within the nose, itchy feeling, over-sensitiveness
to smells then Sabadilla is your remedy. Here the patient
suffers from constant sneezing and watering of the eyes.
The nose feels dry from within. Sabadilla patients are
affected by the cold weather and air. They also cannot
tolerate the odour of flowers. This triggers the sneezing
and running of the nose.
They feel better by inhaling warm air and wrapping themselves
up. Also feel better by drinking warm things.
Sabadilla will bring on quick
relief.

ACONITE
This remedy is excellent for winter colds where the air
is dry and cold. Especially effective when at a high altitude
the inner lining of your nose dries up and the nose feels
blocked. Sometimes there may also be bleeding from the,
nose which is bright red in colour. Here the discharge
is very scanty and water like. With this cold the person
gets fear and anxiety and is extremely worried about his
illness. Aconite personalities are highly anxious and
restless people.
Aconite will help cure the
patient.

3. FOOD POISONING

Winter months are normally the time for
festivities and marriages. Therefore it is also the time
of year when people eat out more often and are likely
to get food poisoning. Eating at weddings where food is
prepared for the masses is dangerous and likely to be
contaminated. So how do we take care to avoid getting
food poisoning? Firstly try and eat things that are well
cooked like rice, dal, cooked vegetables etc…avoid
eating raw salads, cold food, cold cuts, meat etc….
Do not drink the water or juices made with water outside.
Instead a plain soda is better or mineral water. In deserts
avoid cold ones like ice-cream, kulfi, milk based ones
as they are more likely to give you a stomach infection.
Stick to hot deserts which have been cooked and heated.
If you do get food poisoning do not stop the vomiting
or loose motions suddenly, this a way in which your body
is trying to throw out the harmful substances. Just make
sure you are well hydrated by taking small sips of water
with a little salt and sugar every few minutes. Stay on
a clear liquid diet till your digestive system is okay.
We have wonderful remedies for food poisoning which are
given depending on the patients symptoms.

ARSENIC ALB
When there is great nausea and the person cannot tolerate
the sight, smell or even the thought of food then this
remedy should be thought of. There is constant nausea
and loss of appetite. The patient vomits after eating
or drinking anything. Diarrhoea may also be present along
with vomiting.
The patient feels like taking small sips of water often.
There is burning pain in the stomach and a feeling of
anxiety. The arsenic alb patient is highly restless even
though physically weak. Feels like he is going to die
because of this illness. They have great anxiety about
their health.Arsenic Alb will remove
all the harmful effects of food poisoning and relieve
the nausea and vomiting.

Few more Homeopathy remedies for winter ailments.
AconiteOne of the remedies most frequently used in winter is Aconite and it
is usually recommended when symptoms of a cold come on suddenly,
typically after exposure to a dry chilly wind. There may be a severe
headache, which is often described in the terms of fullness, or
heaviness and may be centred on the left temple and is usually throbbing
in nature. The face is typically flushed, hot and red with dry, sore
and bloodshot eyes. The throat is normally red and dry with a sensation
as if something were “stuck in the throat”. From this, it may be
understood that these symptoms of heat and dryness, affecting the left
side of the body, with an acute sensitivity to cold winds or draughts
are those which may be successfully treated with Aconite.This remedy may also be used to treat a painful, dry, hacking cough
which manifests itself with a feeling of tension and pressure in the
left side of the chest. Here a word of caution however: symptoms that
persist for more than two to three weeks, or increase in severity,
despite the administration of a homeopathic remedy, must be investigated
as a matter of urgency by a healthcare professional.
Nevertheless, homeopathy may be used alongside all conventional
medication, will not interfere with antibiotics nor will antibiotics
stop homeopathic remedies from being effective.GelsemiumA remedy that is recognised and accepted for use in colds and
similar ailments is Gelsemium, which is made from yellow jasmine. The
symptoms for which this remedy is ideally suited are feelings of
weakness and a trembling sensation in the legs and an all over
tiredness. Also, it is very beneficial for people who feel apathetic,
lethargic and who want nothing more than just to lie quietly,
undisturbed. The tiredness that lingers after influenza, or a similar
viral infection, responds well to Gelsemium. Many sufferers of these
types of illnesses describe a headache as if a very tight elastic band
has been put around their heads and again this common, but distressing
symptom, may be helped by this remedy. Whilst Aconite suits patients who
feel hot and burning, other patients who experience shivers and chills,
accompanied by deprivation of sleep caused by the mind being unable to
relax will do well with Gelsemium.Allium cepaThis is a homeopathic remedy that has proved itself in the treatment
of a simple cold which presents with a nose that issore and constantly
drips and with eyes that water. As this remedy is based on red onion, it
should be no surprise that the symptoms which are induced by exposure
to it are those which the remedy can help to alleviate. The top lip of
the mouth can become red and sore, and sneezing is a major problem. A
further symptom is an annoying tickle in the throat which is usually
very sore and accompanied by a hoarseness of the voice. For these
symptoms and a hacking, tickling cough, Allium cepa will probably suit.EuphrasiaBy now, almost everyone will be aware from experience that with
almost two hundred recognised rhinoviruses, the symptoms, although
generally similar, have subtle variations; a running nose may be the
predominant feature of one, whereas a blocked nose may be the symptom of
another. One virus may produce a sore throat and another a mild but
burning earache and it is because of these subtle variations that the
homeopathic remedies that are recommended also work in slightly
different ways. An example of this is Euphrasia, eyebright, which in
many ways works like Allium cepa, with the difference that this is
suggested for an infection that inflames and reddens the eyes,
accompanied by catarrh. Other annoying and distressing symptoms which
are associated with flu and cold-like viral illnesses are painful joints
and aching muscles which can be debilitating. Whilst the remedies
discussed so far will all help in some way to alleviate these, when they
are severe, Eupatorium perfoliatum is recommended.FEVERFever develops either as a result of external factors such as
infections, or internal factors such as auto-immune disorders, and is
the body’s natural defensive response. For many people, a fever below
102°F is not too serious; however, such a fever in infants, small
children, the elderly, or those with specific serious illnesses can be a
danger sign.Again, it is useful to differentiate the nature of the fever when considering the best homeopathic remedy. For example:Homeopathic Remedies1) For a fever that strikes suddenly following exposure to cold air
or wind, is worse at night, is temporarily relieved by sitting up and
breathing open air and is accompanied by fear, anxiety and a great
thirst – my favourite remedy is homeopathic Aconite. 2) In another type of fever, the head is hot but the body and hands
are cold. This fever may come and go, is generally worse after midnight,
generates much restless anxiety, and the person wants to sip at warm
drinks – for this, my favourite is Arsenicum. 3) In the case of a sudden, intense fever, possibly including
delirium, the face may be brightly flushed and the eyes glassy with
dilated pupils. In this instance, the person may also have a sore,
bright red throat, thirst for sour drinks, and the fever may worsen with
motion, light or noise; for this, my favourite homeopathic remedy is
Belladonna.

SINUS CONGESTIONThis condition occurs when swelling of the membranes of the nasal
passageways takes place. This is a frequent symptom of a cold and it
makes breathing difficult. Locating the correct homeopathic remedy may
largely depend upon the nature of the discharge, the presence of crusts
and scabs, as well as the other symptoms most often described as “a
stuffed nose.” Here are different options to look at:1) One remedy I frequently prescribe for complete nasal obstruction
that is worse in the cold and better with heat, is accompanied by a
nasal tone of voice and thick, stringy mucus, is Kali-bich.2) Another favourite of mine for nasal obstruction that tends to be
one-sided only, and where the mucus runs by day and is blocked at night
and may be accompanied by chills and irritability, is Nux-v.3) Still another I might choose when there is dryness in the nasal
passages, mouth, throat and palate, and crusts and scabs may be present
in the nose as a result of such dryness, is Sticta.